Compostable Computer Mouse Unveiled: Research Published in <Scientific Reports>
Using Lignocellulose as Raw Material November 4, 2025 – Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have developed a biodegradable wood-based circuit board, successfully applied to electronic devices such as computer mice, bringing a new breakthrough to the sustainable electronics industry.
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are core components of electronic devices. Traditional products use petroleum-based fiber-reinforced epoxy resin as the substrate, which is non-recyclable and costly to process, resulting in a large amount of waste circuit boards each year, placing a heavy burden on the environment. As a significant achievement of the EU's HyPELignum project, the Empa team developed a new type of circuit board using lignocellulose as raw material, completely eliminating dependence on petroleum resources.
This substrate originates from wood processing waste. After lignin and hemicellulose are extracted by the TNO Institute in the Netherlands, the remaining brownish-red lignocellulose is further processed. Through water-based milling, the coarser cellulose fibers are broken down into finer protofibrils, forming an interconnected fine network. High-pressure dehydration and keratinization then form a solid board, with the lignin acting as a natural binder. The finished board exhibits durability approaching that of traditional circuit boards and is fully biodegradable. Lignin-rich pulp, after fiberization, forms LCNF (Lignocellulosic Cellulose-Based Fluoride) material. Subsequently, through heat treatment and pressure processing, this LCNF material is transformed into a rigid substrate. Using this substrate for inkjet printing and electronic component assembly, an environmentally friendly computer mouse prototype was created.
Researchers, in collaboration with Austria's PROFACTOR GmbH, have printed conductive traces and mounted components on this substrate, producing a functional computer mouse and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card. At the end of their lifespan, these products can be composted under suitable conditions. After the carrier material decomposes, the metal and electronic components can be separated and recycled, achieving resource recycling. Currently, the material is sensitive to water and high humidity; the research team plans to further improve its durability while maintaining biodegradability.
The HyPELignum project, funded by the Horizon Europe program and others, will conclude in September 2026. The project team will continue to develop more lignocellulosic-based electronic devices and promote the technology's industrial application, collaborating with Swiss and European companies to expand application scenarios. The relevant research findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
